This wonderful full-day Athens Tour starts with a morning pick-up service of around 08.00 am, and your pick-up can be from various points such as from Piraeus Harbour – Athens Airport and also your hotel depending upon which tour you wish to book either private or regular group.
To visit Athens Acropolis – Monumental Gateway – Parthenon – Erechteion will take about 2 hours!
Once you have been collected we will then start on your day around Athens, the first point of the call shall be to the outstanding Parthenon which is the number 1 attraction of Athens and a day in Athens would not be the same without visiting here. As we reach Parthenon we will take a walk up the hill where along the way you can see the Temple of Athena Nike, it was here that Athena was worshipped as the goddess who stood by the Athenians in times of war and this temple still stands in a great condition. Straight after the Temple, you will pass through the grand Propylaea which in the English language means ‘Monumental Gateway’, this amazing well-kept propylaea was created back in 437-432 B.C and also offers great views before you enter through it.
Moving on you will come to the world-famous Parthenon, it can be seen from any angle you stand in Athens and shines down to the city below the same as the sun shines in the sky. This Temple was built as a dedication to Athena and is incredible – it makes the most perfect photograph to take back home as a reminder! Just next to the Parthenon is a smaller building called Erechtheion and just beside here are known legends that the very first olive trees were grown by when Athena threw the seeds to the ground.
To visit the New Acropolis Archaeological Museum will take about 2 hours!
The next stop on our list is the New Acropolis Museum which is not too far away from the Acropolis site itself, it is based just southeast of Acropolis rock and the reason it was built was to hold and treasure the vast exhibits that had been excavated in the site of Acropolis as the former acropolis museum was far too small to hold all the findings. This museum holds more than 4000 historical pieces all of which can be viewed by the public, some of these objects date way back to the Greek bronze age, as well as the Roman and Byzantine eras. Some of the best pieces or shall we say sculptures have come from the Propylaea, the temple of Athena Nike, and also the Election. Apart from those that have just been mentioned, there are also exhibits of great interest such as the colossal head of Goddess Artemis Vravronia, sculptures that have come from the classical period as well as portraits of many memorable characters from the Roman period.
To visit Hill Philippos – Socrates Prison will take about 1 hour
After exploring the wonders that lay within the Acropolis we will take a walk downwards past the Odeon before we reach our next stop on the list for today which will be to visit the Hill Philopappos but before we reach there we will make a stop at Socrates Prison, now this prison is just breath-taking as it has been carved into a hill itself that’s just west of the Acropolis, this kind of construction truly does show how architecture was done in the time of Ancient Athens. It is told that artifacts from Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museum were hidden away here to keep them protected from the invasion of the Nazis during world war 2. As we make our way up to Philopappos you will notice that the top of here offers by far the best views of the Parthenon as you will be standing almost at eye level, and just on this hill you will find a monument that was placed here in memory of
Roman Prince Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos and of course is still in viewing condition so be sure to have your cameras at the ready.
Visit Hill of Phynx will take about 20 minutes
Just a short distance away we will reach the Hill of Phynx which is approx. 500m away from the Acropolis, The hill of Phynx is rocky with its surroundings being made up of parks, therefore, making the scenery around here very green and naturally beautiful. This hill has a very specific place within world history as one of the most important historical sites, there is an artificially carved out stone platform or Bema and these stone platforms are on the side of the hill and take steps to reach the top. Phynx has been noted to of been found during the 5th century B.C. and has also undergone 3 construction periods before it has become its lasting structure. By the third formation the Phynx became of a larger scale and could accommodate up to 20,000 people and out of that 20,000 they made 6,000 to be for Athenians to enable the discussions to start over political issues. When there was excavation work was done there were many other ancient remains found such as 2 large stones whose purpose was to shelter people in case of terrible weather there was also an altar of Zeus Agoraios and the sanctuary of Zeus Hypsistos.
At the end of the tour, your guide will then drop you back off at your allocated drop-off points where you will be able to spend the rest of the day relaxing and also reviewing your day with us.
*This Athens City and Athens Acropolis Tour is available all year round.
No extra hidden cost..!
INCLUSIONS
*Pick up and Drop Off
*Professional Licensed Guide
*Parking Fees
*Transport and Driver
EXCLUSIONS
*Lunch – Drinks
*Gratitude’s
*Entrance Fees